I’m excited to discover that my article “Missional Sexuality” was listed number 2 of the Top 12 Guests Posts of 2012 at Faith On Campus. It is quite an honor to be listed among some really great articles. Read the original article here.

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?” – Isaiah 55:2

What do you want for Christmas? Ask for more!

I don’t usually encourage people to lengthen their Christmas lists. “Christmas has become so consumeristic,” I have often said. “Do we really need to ask for so much stuff?” I’ve often encouraged people to be satisfied with less. This year I’m telling people to ask for more.

I have come to believe that the problem is not that we are never satisfied, but that we are far too easily satisfied. We have allowed ourselves to seek satisfaction from that which can never satisfy. Instead of learning to be satisfied with stuff, become dissatisfied with all stuff, and seek satisfaction in the life of God.

I once read a newspaper article about a woman in a white Jaguar who ran over a man standing in the mall parking space she wanted. Discovering his leg was broken, she told him to get over it as she hurried into the mall to do her Christmas shopping. This story reminds me of the danger of seeking satisfaction from stuff at the mall. We can do some crazy things when we expect satisfaction from that which cannot satisfy.

“Why spend your labor on what does not satisfy?” asks Isaiah. Don’t seek satisfaction from that which can never ultimately give it. Rather, we are invited to join in the cry of Isaiah 64:1, “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!” Isaiah calls us to be satisfied with nothing less than the real and active presence of God.

What do you want for Christmas?Let’s not be satisfied with trinkets and tokens.Ask for nothing less than God breaking into our world, doing what only God can do.

O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties. Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations. Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served. Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name. For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen.

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

If you are a Christian leader, or you aspire to be a leader, you MUST memorize this bible verse.

Do not let those who hope in you be put to shame because of me, O Lord God of hosts; do not let those who seek you be dishonored because of me, O God of Israel. -Psalm 69:6 NRSV

The story hit the news this week of another Christian leader whose personal choices have brought shame and dishonor on God and His people. Moments of weakness, bad judgement, and willful sin continue to destroy the ministry of capable leaders. Every time this happens, shame and dishonor is brought not only on the leader, but on all the people of God.

In today’s world, non-Christians are not particularly interested in whether Christianity is true. They are much more interested in if it is effective. Does Christianity actually produce in the lives of Christians what they claim it can do? I am convinced that it does, but every moral failure of a Christian leader works to convince the world of the opposite.

So leaders, and those who aspire to be leaders, memorize Psalm 69:6. Pray this verse often. And may these words guide you, coming from deep in your memory, if you are ever on the verge of bringing shame and dishonor to God and His people.

Will you commit to memorizing and praying Psalm 69:6?Leave a comment below announcing your commitment.

Today I saw someone scurrying across the road with two umbrellas. One opened, in use, protecting her from the rain. The other in her hand. A spare carried just in case.

And I wondered: who is so worried about the rain that she carries two umbrellas?

But don’t we often do the same thing? We carry one useful “umbrella” that helps us to deal with all of the difficulties, problems, setbacks, annoyances of life. Rain comes in life and me must deal with it.

Then we carry a second “umbrella” that is simply fear that our attempts to handle life’s difficulties will fail. An attempt to be prepared for all the things we can’t be prepared for. We carry it because we fear the rain and don’t trust ourselves to make it through the day without getting soaked.

Holding that first useful umbrella takes one hand. A second umbrella only gets in the way, leaving you with no open hands.

What is your “second umbrella”?For a few minutes today, try to carry just one, and see how good it is to have a free hand.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10

In Acts 12, the church is earnestly praying, but looses faith that God could answer their prayer.
Are you faithful in prayer and faithful in faith?
If God answered your prayer, would you be astonished or would you be overjoyed?

Sermon presented by Dr. Pat Hannon at Indiana Wesleyan University Chapel on March 16, 2012.